Signs of Spring

It's the last little bit of winter holding on before we hit the equinox. Ask write this, I can see the red maple buds just outside my window. The bees, when it’s warm enough to fly, are bringing in a dusky grey green pollen. I want to take a walk somewhere to check for skunk cabbage this week. Bits of life are showing up in my garden, some leaves never really died back, like my hardy lemon balm and yarrow. Garlic and mullein are starting to make an appearance and I am currently eyeing my bamboo stakes as last year a number of cellophane bees emerged from them. I saw on the RI Wildlife Rehab page that the first squirrel litter of the season was brought in and I suspect one of the females that hangs around my house may have a litter somewhere.

I suffered some losses in my apiaries this winter, which is sad, but only firms my resolve to get better next season. In the midst of the losses (one hive loss is one too many for me), I did receive some wonderful news. The RI DEM awarded Little Rhody Beekeeping a LASLA grant which I will purchasing some new equipment with including a microscope. Thanks DEM!

For the remainder of this week, I plan on burning through my remaining wax, bottling up my remaining honey and slowly assembling woodenware to get ready for April, when the real fun begins.

Next week will be a hefting and peeking into hives week and hopefully the bodycount remains the same.

Beekeeping is hard and heartbreaking at times.